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Faith through illness inspires creativity in Thrigby
Faith through illness inspires creativity in Thrigby
Illness and grief have led Jenny Baker on a journey to starting her own photography business, Creation Arise, as well as a pop-up gallery in Thrigby for fellow artists
When illness forced Jenny Baker, from Thrigby, near Great Yarmouth, to step back from her career last year, she found herself on a new path—one that combined her love of the Norfolk landscape, her Christian faith, and a long-held interest in photography
“As part of my healing, I felt God was showing me where to take the photographs, what could I see, with His eyes” says Jenny. “It really felt that God was opening my eyes to creation that I hadn’t seen before, even the patterns and colours on the stones at the beach, the colours of the autumnal leaves, the beautiful colours in the skies especially sunsets and afterglows”
Encouraged by friends and by her late mum Tricia, Jenny launched photography business Creation Arise last summer. Jenny felt God gave her the name of the business and the Scripture from Romans 8v19 about creation eagerly awaiting the return of Christ. “I pray that when people see my photography they are drawn to something that God’s revealing to them about his wonder and his love” she says
But Jenny’s vision didn’t stop with her own work. She wanted to create a space for other artists and crafters to share their gifts too. With her Dad Peter Gillett and husband Richard, they opened their family barn and gardens in Thrigby to host a monthly Pop up Gallery, giving others a chance to display and sell their work in a relaxed, friendly setting
Jenny had started to share her photographs with friends on social media, with family and her church community especially during Covid 19 when the community was isolated and stayed home. Due to her living in the countryside, she was able to capture the beauty of creation to share with others to bring hope, resilience and beauty, even in the face of adversity and fear. “I have felt drawn to take landscape photography of the coastline in East Anglia, but mainly Norfolk. Windmills, Beaches, Norfolk Broads and Forests” shares Jenny
Jenny has developed a range of prints and canvases, using her mirrorless Canon camera and self-taught editing skills to capture the depth and vibrancy of the local scenery. Jenny deliberately produces smaller items such as fridge magnets, keyrings and greetings cards as well as her canvases and framed photos so that there is something for every taste and budget
Fellow artists Kirk and Karen bring their creations to the pop-up gallery from their business K’s Kraft which specialises in hand painted items on different media, slate, canvas, pebble stones and dog portraits. Karen explains that the atmosphere is very different to other craft fairs and events they’ve attended. She observes that “whether we sell stuff or not we know that we’re just going to have a lovely day and meet lovely people”
“It’s not about making lots of money,” Jenny explains. “It’s about creating a safe environment, helping fellow artists and crafters to be visible, to get together and encourage one another.” Jenny shares
The Pop up Gallery is held at Thrigby Windmill, Mill Road, Thrigby, NR29 3DY on the 4th Saturday of the month. Additionally this month on 19th and 20th July the family are hosting Open Gardens as part of Filby in Bloom in the village. Thrigby post mill will be open for viewing along with its peaceful surroundings
Opening dates:
19th/ 20th July, 26th July, 23rd August, 27th September, 25th October and 22nd November which will be a Christmas Fair. Opening times 10am to 4pm
Please email Jenny at creationarise24@gmail.com if you have you have any questions or would like to hold a stall here
Creation Arise can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563549661954 or www.creationarise.co.uk
K’s Kraft can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576548355045
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Anna Heydon, 14/07/2025
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